Q:What can we do on this network as opposed to the regular Internet A. Internet2 has no commercial traffic. It is reserved for communication and activities among research institutions. Given this, we can now take advantage of opportunities such as the one provided by Project Neptune. Some of its resources, require a 20 megabit connection. Before we upgraded our network, 20 megabits was our system’s entire allocation. Q: What about our regular (commercial) Internet connection? A. Our “commercial” Internet connection has been upgraded as well. In the past, we received our Internet connection from a for-profit company. Now we are on a not-for-profit, state-run network dedicated to education and research.
We are currently at a 100 megabit connection which is an increase of 80 megabits from our prior connection speed. This affects all online testing, Novanet, web-based activities, and more. In the past we were using 100% of our connection, which prevented us from taking advantage of other online opportunities. Now, we have bandwidth to spare.
In addition, this upcoming summer the network among our schools will be upgraded. All schools will receive dedicated fiber lines, which will increase the speed of all network functions within the school system. Q:How did all of this come about? A. Bumping into the ceiling of our bandwidth limit had been an ongoing issue for our school system, and it became evident that we would have to look elsewhere. The Board of Regents operates a connection (commercial and Internet2) that runs through Barrow County on its way to the University of Georgia, which made it a feasible option to pursue. After a series of meetings, our school system entered into a unique partnership with the Board of Regents to provide us with access to both Internet2 and to commercial Internet access. Currently, we are the only K-12 school system on the state-run research and education network, and the only school system connected to Internet2 in the nation. Q: What is Splash Day? A.Splash Day is an event taking place at Westside Middle School on January 24th. We will debut our network to the public by demonstrating the types of activities that are possible when bandwidth is no longer a limitation. Our school system has partnerships with three of the four Tier 1 research institutions in the state, and they will be represented at this event. Q. So what kinds of things might we expect in the future? A. Video conferencing will become a more prominent method of communication within the school system. We should expect to see it also be used for professional learning, meetings with others outside of our school system, for teaching, and for bringing “experts” into our classrooms. Additionally, our connection will allow students to connect to live databases and a host of scientific apparatus such as electron microscopes and telescopes.
Web 2.0 - What is that? (cont'd)
What is really exciting is that Web 2.0 provides educators with a multitude of opportunities to use that one computer in the classroom like never before.
Interested in learning more? Visit a few of the recommended links and/or become involved in one of the professional learning opportunities that both teach and utilize these great tools. Some courses will take place online with some synchronous (live) chats and all will offer PLU hours.
Table of Contents
Internet2 Q&A (Cont'd)
Q: What can we do on this network as opposed to the regular InternetA. Internet2 has no commercial traffic. It is reserved for communication and activities among research institutions. Given this, we can now take advantage of opportunities such as the one provided by Project Neptune. Some of its resources, require a 20 megabit connection. Before we upgraded our network, 20 megabits was our system’s entire allocation.
Q: What about our regular (commercial) Internet connection?
A. Our “commercial” Internet connection has been upgraded as well. In the past, we received our Internet connection from a for-profit company. Now we are on a not-for-profit, state-run network dedicated to education and research.
We are currently at a 100 megabit connection which is an increase of 80 megabits from our prior connection speed. This affects all online testing, Novanet, web-based activities, and more. In the past we were using 100% of our connection, which prevented us from taking advantage of other online opportunities. Now, we have bandwidth to spare.
In addition, this upcoming summer the network among our schools will be upgraded. All schools will receive dedicated fiber lines, which will increase the speed of all network functions within the school system.
Q: How did all of this come about?
A. Bumping into the ceiling of our bandwidth limit had been an ongoing issue for our school system, and it became evident that we would have to look elsewhere. The Board of Regents operates a connection (commercial and Internet2) that runs through Barrow County on its way to the University of Georgia, which made it a feasible option to pursue. After a series of meetings, our school system entered into a unique partnership with the Board of Regents to provide us with access to both Internet2 and to commercial Internet access. Currently, we are the only K-12 school system on the state-run research and education network, and the only school system connected to Internet2 in the nation.
Q: What is Splash Day?
A. Splash Day is an event taking place at Westside Middle School on January 24th. We will debut our network to the public by demonstrating the types of activities that are possible when bandwidth is no longer a limitation. Our school system has partnerships with three of the four Tier 1 research institutions in the state, and they will be represented at this event.
Q. So what kinds of things might we expect in the future?
A. Video conferencing will become a more prominent method of communication within the school system. We should expect to see it also be used for professional learning, meetings with others outside of our school system, for teaching, and for bringing “experts” into our classrooms. Additionally, our connection will allow students to connect to live databases and a host of scientific apparatus such as electron microscopes and telescopes.
Web 2.0 - What is that? (cont'd)
What is really exciting is that Web 2.0 provides educators with a multitude of opportunities to use that one computer in the classroom like never before.Interested in learning more? Visit a few of the recommended links and/or become involved in one of the professional learning opportunities that both teach and utilize these great tools. Some courses will take place online with some synchronous (live) chats and all will offer PLU hours.